Studies have shown that almost every part of M. myristica tree is important economically. The timber is hard, easy to work with and is used for carpentry, house fittings and joinery while the seeds are also made into necklaces (5). The most economically important parts are the seeds which are embedded in a white sweet smelling pulp of the sub-spherical fruit. It has been observed that an average of 119-122 seeds can be found in one fruit (2). After harvesting, various unit operations such as fermentation, washing, drying and cracking are performed before consumption or storage.
The essential oil from the leaves contains β-caryophyllene, α-humulene and α-pinene, while that from the seeds contains α-phellandrene, α-pinene, myrcene, limonene and pinene (5). Phytochemical screening carried out on M. myristica extract revealed the presence of Tannin, saponin, flavonoid, steroid, terpenoids, cardiac glycoside, alkaloid and phenol. Earlier determination of the chemical constituents of the seeds revealed the presence of Fiberro-latic oils, resins, terpene, lactose, arocine, saponins, flavonoids and tannins (6).
Reports abound in the literature as to the medicinal use of M. myristica, the stem bark is used in the treatments of hemorrhoids, stomach ache, fever pains and eye diseases (7), while the seeds are used in treating headache and hypertension in Central African Republic (8). In Eastern Nigeria, the seeds are used as condiment and one of the spices used as postpartum tonic. M. myristica has been proven to have anti-sickling properties (7). When grounded to powder, the kernel is used to prepare soup as stimulant to relieve constipation and control passive uterine haemorrhage in women immediately after child birth (9, 10). This berry also has diuretic properties and used for mild fever and antiseptic (10).
CREDIT: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Calabash nutmeg (Monodora myristica Dunal) are dried seeds from a tropical forest tree found native in West Africa but also now grown in other parts of the planet. The species is in the same genus as mace and is used as an alternative being a little cheaper than its highly sought after cousin.
-like many spices has different names. You may have come across African or Jamaican nutmeg, or know it in a Nigerian tongue as airama, ehuru (Igbo), ariwo (Yoruba), iwo (Erhe), lubushi, ehiri or airama. Other names include Ehu and Muscadier de Calabash.
All part of the tree seem to find some use. The wood is used for house building, joinery and fittings (Burkill, 1985; Okafor, 1987).
Description Of The Plant
The plant is a perennial in the Annonaceae, so it is in the same family as custard apples, soursops and cherimoya.
It is found in the forests of West Africa where it grows amongst various evergreens. (Burabai et al., 2007). It is grown commercially in Nigeria especially in the South, The Cameroons, Uganda, west Kenya and Nigeria and Liberia. The tree is also now found in the Carribean especially Jamaica but also South America .
The berry fruit is up to 20 cm in diameter, smooth, green and spherical. It grows woody when it reaches maturity. The berry is attached by a long stalk which is 60cm long.
The seeds are many, oblong and pale brown. They are surrounded by a whitish pulp. About 120 seeds can be extracted which are 1 inch long.
The seed is used like other nutmegs for the spiciness and fragrance that is lent to a range of foods. A Nigerian colleague who is Yoruba tells me that they use it in ragus, stews and some savoury soups. The seed has been successfully exploited in African traditional medicine over many years as are the barks and leaves for some applications.
Compounds In Calabash Nutmeg
The essential oil from the leaves contains β-caryophyllene, α-humulene and α-pinene. The seeds contains α-phellandrene, α-pinene, myrcene, limonene and pinene.
Culinary Uses For Calabash Nutmeg
The nutmeg is often in an extremely hard shell which is best removed by banging with a hammer. The seed is grated or ground. Again, my colleague has added it to a certain type of pepper soup but I’ve seen it in a number of baked goods especially cakes. As with all nutmegs, amounts used are sparing. It can be used in western style custard tarts where it offers a slightly different pungency. A Portuguese Custard tart for example certainly benefits from a dusting.
The nutmeg when ground must be treated carefully so that it is not contaminated with Aspergillus moulds such as A. flavi. This particular mould produces aflatoxins. The spice is prone to contamination and can often be sold with this fungus present (Ezekiel et al., 2012).
With soup, about a half teaspoon should do it to a gallon of broth !
Medicinal Uses
The stem bark is used to treat stomach conditions, fevers, eye disease and hemorrhoids (Uwakwe & Nwaoguikpe, 2008).
The seeds are used in the Central African Republic to treat headache and hypertension (Koudou et al., 2007). In some countries the seeds are used to repel fleas and lice. They are also used as a diuretic, as an anti-emetic (rather similar to ginger in many respects) and as a general tonic
Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for chronic heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular related conditions. It is also associated with hyperlipidemia. A water extract of the dried fruits was shown in a rat model to reduce hypercholesterolaemia (Onyenibe et al., 2015).
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References
Burabai, W., Akor, A.J., Igoni, A.H., Puyate, Y.T. (2007) Fracture resistance of African Nutmeg (Monodora myristica) compressive loading. Electron. J. Environ Agric Food Chem. 6(10) pp. 2434–2442 (Article)
Burkill, H.M. (1985) The useful plants of West Tropical Africa Vol. 1, Families of A-D Published by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, p 960.
Ezekiel, C. N., Fapohunda, S. O., Olorunfemi, M. F., Oyebanji, A. O., & Obi, I. (2013). Mycobiota and aflatoxin B1 contamination of Piper guineense (Ashanti pepper), P. nigrum L.(black pepper) and Monodora myristica (calabash nutmeg) from Lagos, Nigeria. International Food Research Journal, 20(1).
Koudou, J., Etou Ossibi, A.W., Aklikokou, K., Abenna, A.A., et al. (2007) Chemical composition and hypotensive effects of the essential oil of Monodora myristica Gaertn. J. Biol. Sci. 7 pp. 937–942 (Article)
Nguefack, J., Leth, V., Amvam, V., Zollo, P.H., et al. (2004) Evaluation of five essential oils from aromatic plants of Cameroon for controlling food spoilage and mycotoxin producing fungi. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 94(3) pp. 329–334
Okafor, J.C. (1987), Development of forest tree crops for food supplies in Nigeria, Forest Ecol. Man., 1, pp. 235-247
Onyenibe, N. S., Fowokemi, K. T., & Emmanuel, O. B. (2015). African Nutmeg (Monodora Myristica) Lowers Cholesterol and Modulates Lipid Peroxidation in Experimentally Induced Hypercholesterolemic Male Wistar Rats. International journal of biomedical science : IJBS, 11(2), pp. 86–92.
Uwakwe, A.A., Nwaoguikpe, R.N. (2008) In-vitro antisickling effects of Xylopia aethiopica and Monodora myristica . J. Med. Plant Res. 2(6) pp. 119–124
Revision. Addition of references, extra information on properties etc. on original article of 31st August, 2017.
CREDIT: https://foodwrite.co.uk/calabash-nutmeg/
According to GlobalFoodBook, a Nigerian Food Blogger she also has this interesting find on the Calabash Nutmeg:
Ehu seeds are used for preparing special hot soups with piper Piper guineense ‘Uziza’, for newborn mothers for easy control of uterine hemorrhage. It is also believed that adding these two spices in their soups helps the newborn mother’s milk to start flowing normally immediately after childbirth. Basically, the ehu seeds can be ground and used as a postpartum tonic.
READ MORE HERE: GLOBALFOODBOOK
FROM FACEBOOK
Cures HeadacheRelief of Stomach Pains Management of Sickle cell anemiaBeneficial for Newborn MothersEssential Oil ConstituentConstipation Relief. The seeds act as a stimulant thus can be ground and used to prepare soup that helps to relieve constipation. They can also be used for treating stomach ache.Hemorrhoids TreatmentAntimicrobial PropertiesOil ContentTreatment of RheumatismTreatment of ArthritisCulinary Purposes. Iwun seeds can be ground into powdered form, which is used for spicing and flavouring food such as pepper soup.Diabetes TreatmentAnti-sickling PropertiesDiuretic PropertiesTreatment of High Cholesterol levelOrnamental BenefitsInsect RepellentSore TreatmentEhuru(Calabash Nutmeg): Names, Uses, Health Benefits, De-shelling & More
Ehuru is also called Calabash nutmeg, African Nutmeg, Jamaican Nutmeg, and Ghana seed. It is a spice mostly used for Peppersoup, abacha, nkwobi, groundnut soup,black soup,Ofe Akwu, ugba/ukpaka, ose-oji,egusi,ogbono, Banga soup,
garden egg sauce, goat meat stew, Ukwa, and isi ewu. The best of Ehuru is gotten when roasted. It adds extra flavor to meals.
Ehuru is the reason the abacha(african salad) you prepare at home does not taste like the one you bought in the market.
You can find it with people selling spices.
Other tribal names of calabash Nutmeg
Some tribes call it Ehura
Hausa: gyeda Mai kamshi or gyadan Miya
Idanre (Ondo) Aiho (Pronounced ah-i-ho)
Isoko: atanikene
Urhobo: Iribuotor/ere
Yoruba: Ariwo
Benin:Ikposa
Ilaje Ondo State: kposa
Ijaw: Arigogo
Itsekiri: ewo
Ikale in Ondo state: Arigho
Ewaka in Yakurr dailect (Cross River)
It’s called egwòyè in Okpè tribe in Delta State
Botanical/Scientific Name: Monodora myristica
English Name: calabash nutmeg
How to De-shell calabash nutmeg
First you have to roast them. You put it on fire directly, once it is 30 seconds to 1min, remove it, and pound it. It’s ready. Don’t forget that the shell should be removed before pounding to fine powder.
This how to remove the shell of Ehuru with a blender: In measured quantity, put some of the roasted African nutmeg, in the blender and allow it to run for some minutes.
You will see/hear the shells hitting the roof of the blender cover- paused and check if it has been deshelled to your satisfaction and run the blender again until they are completely deshelled.
After then, separate the shells from the real “ehuru” and pound, grate or grind to turn it to powder.
Health Benefits of Ehuru(calabash Nutmeg)
It has alot of benefits. Rich in Iron,folic acid, magnesium,vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, vitamin c and more too. Helps to reduce cholesterol. This is based on research
Other health benefits
Removes phlegm (good expectorant)
Increases libido
Relieves common cold and flu
Improves appetite.
A good laxative
Cleans the bowels
Helps in burning excess fat..
Please ensure roast it before chewing it if you want to at all…..do not chew it raw.
PRECAUTION
When cooking bear in mind that Ehuru has a very strong flavor so a little goes a long way, you want to add just enough to compliment the other flavors, not overpower them. In other words, apply ehuru with moderation and just the adequate quantity is enough, too much may overpower the flavour of your soup/food.
Two Other things
Ehuru and Pregnancy
Food cooked with calabash nutmeg/ehuru seed is perfectly OK for pregnant woman. It is healthy and no research has reported any negative effective of calabash nutmeg in pregnancy.
Ehuru and Fertility
Calabash nutmeg is a a great sex stimulant and improves libido in both men and women. It is one of those Nigerian spices that boost ovulation and fertility.
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